Best cheap washing machine: Keep clothes clean from as little as £239
A washing machine is an essential item that often comes at a luxury price, but here are the best budget-friendly offerings
You don’t need to spend thousands on a top-notch appliance, as our roundup of the best cheap washing machines demonstrates, with some models costing under £300.
A budget price doesn’t mean settling for poor performance. Although more expensive washing machines can offer better cleaning performance, they also include lots of fancy features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and auto dosing that aren’t exactly essential.
By forgoing some of these extra features and stripping it back to what’s important, you can still get a good machine at a wallet-friendly price. And as bonkers as it sounds, sometimes knocking a few quid off the price is even as simple as opting for a white machine over a silver or black one.
To give you a helping hand, we’ve scoured the internet to find the best washing machines for under £450, including large-capacity and high-spin-speed models.
Best cheap washing machine: At a glance
| Best silver washing machine | Indesit BWA81485XSUKN | £349 | Check price at AO |
| Best large-capacity washing machine under £300 | Beko WTL82051W | £239 | Check price at AO |
| Best Bosch washing machine under £500 | Bosch Series 2 WAJ28002GB | £479 | Check price at John Lewis |
How to choose the best cheap washing machine for you
What size drum do I need?
As drum sizes are specified in kilograms, it can be tricky to work out which size is right for you. For bigger households, or those with young children, it’s often worth choosing the biggest within your budget: 9kg is a good size for families. A 6kg or 7kg drum can feel cramped, even for a couple, but for those who prefer to wash lots of smaller loads on a quick-wash cycle, it will suffice. If you want to wash chunkier items such as duvets, it’s worth investing in a machine with a large drum.
Is a faster spin speed better?
Yes: the higher the figure given for spin speed, the more water will be removed from the clothes during this part of the cycle. No matter whether you’re air-drying or tumble-drying your laundry, it will take less time to dry if spun at higher speeds. But watch out, some cycles – such as quick-wash programmes – operate at a reduced spin speed to complete the wash in the fastest time possible, meaning clothes come out much wetter. In this instance, you may need to run a separate spin cycle to remove more water from the load and avoid lengthy drying times.
What features can I get on a budget machine?
At the very lowest end of the price range, most washing machines offer only the essential wash programmes and features. It’s possible to get extras without going above £400, so if special wash cycles such as duvet, anti-allergy or even steam programmes are important to you, you will be pleased to know these features aren’t out of reach. Likewise, large-capacity models with a high spin speed are also available as you head above £250. Budget models, however, aren’t packed with as many sensors as their expensive counterparts and, while you won’t get a machine with auto dosing, there are some cheaper models offering Wi-Fi connectivity now.
READ NEXT: Best washer-dryers
The best cheap washing machines you can buy in 2023
1. Beko WTL82051W: Best large-capacity washing machine under £300
Price when reviewed: £239 | Check price at AO
While an 8kg drum size isn’t the largest on the market, it’s ideal for a medium-size family and this model comes at a very affordable price. It’s highly praised by users online who are impressed by the quality of this machine as well as the value for money.
The biggest drawback is that wash temperatures aren’t variable (you can’t manually adjust the temperature of a cycle), but there’s a good range of presets that will cover most people’s needs. These include energy-saving 20˚C washes as well as 60˚C and 90˚C cotton programmes for a bacteria-busting hygienic clean of loads such as cloth nappies or towels. You will have to spend a little more if you want the best possible spin speed, though.
Key specs – Drum size: 8kg; Max spin speed: 1,200rpm; Rated efficiency: C; Wool wash: No; Delicate wash: Yes; Hand wash: Yes
2. Candy HCU14102DBBE: Best black washing machine under £350
Price when reviewed: £330 | Check price at Appliances Direct
White appliances are always the cheapest, but if a white washing machine will stick out like a sore thumb in your kitchen, this black model from Candy is a great option.
It’s got an impressively roomy 10kg drum, so is great for tackling larger loads. Users particularly love the capacity, which is rare in this price bracket, and they also note that the 1,400rpm spin is effective at removing most of the water from loads.
It’s not the most intuitive model to use and the wash programmes are displayed in symbols that will have you reaching for the manual for the first few uses. But once you’ve got to grips with it, you will enjoy the benefits of all the technology on board, including weight sensors, stain sensors and app connectivity.
Key specs – Drum size: 10kg; Max spin speed: 1,400rpm; Rated efficiency: E; Wool wash: Yes; Delicate wash: Yes; Hand wash: Yes
3. Indesit BWA81485XSUKN: Best silver washing machine under £400
Price when reviewed: £349 | Check price at AO
Quiet, efficient and easy to master, this silver-coloured Indesit makes a fantastic addition to the kitchen or utility room. While 16 washing programmes don’t represent the same level of choice that you would get with some premium appliances, this model ticks all the really important boxes, including a Woolmark Blue-certified wool setting, cycles for delicates (but no hand wash) and economy, plus a 30-minute quick wash option if you’re in a real hurry.
Even though it’s priced towards the upper end of what we would consider affordable, the Indesit’s 8kg drum is big enough for a medium-sized family and offers great value-for-money – especially when you factor in its B-rated energy efficiency.
Key specs – Drum size: 8kg; Max spin speed: 1,400rpm; Rated efficiency: B; Wool wash: Yes (Woolmark Blue-certified); Delicate wash: Yes; Hand wash: No
4. Bosch Series 2 WAJ28002GB: Best Bosch washing machine under £500
Price when reviewed: £479 | Check price at John Lewis
The prices of Bosch washing machines have crept up recently, meaning Bosch Series 4 models can no longer be classed as “budget” options. Even so, you can still get your hands on one of the brand’s legendary Series 2 washers for a reasonable price.
This one has several of Bosch’s most innovative features including ActiveWater Plus load-sensing, a SpeedPerfect option that allows you to increase the water temperature and intensity mid-cycle, and an EcoSilence Drive Motor that keeps noise levels at an impressively low 75dB (or under) during the spin cycle.
In a nutshell, this high quality Bosch washer is worth spending a little extra on.
Key specs – Drum size: 8kg; Max spin speed: 1,400rpm; Rated efficiency: C; Wool wash: Yes; Delicate wash: Yes; Hand wash: Yes
5. Hotpoint NSWM845CGGUKN: Best B-rated affordable washing machine
Price when reviewed: £349 | Check price at AO
You can get a really great washing machine for a knock-down price if you know where to look – this Hotpoint offers performance and features that are on a par with some far costlier models. It won’t give you a headache when spinning either as the “PRO inverter motor” works fairly quietly with a maximum noise level of 76dB.
There’s an impressive range of washing programmes to choose from including woollens, delicates and a 45-minute full-drum wash – and best of all, the machine has an excellent B-rating for energy efficiency.
We’re big fans of the Graphite colourway, which helps this Hotpoint stand out among its competitors. White and black versions are also available for a less outré kitchen aesthetic.
Key specs – Drum size: 8kg; Max spin speed: 1,400rpm; Rated efficiency: B; Wool wash: Yes; Delicate wash: Yes; Hand wash: No
